PM10 Element Distribution and Environmental-Sanitary Risk Analysis in Two Italian Industrial Cities

In this work, an evaluation of the air two Italian industrial cities, Turin and Biella, has been performed to identify main sources affecting its quality evaluate evolution along 15 years. These cities are placed at border Po valley, one most polluted areas Europe, automotive textile industries have their economic sectors. The elemental analysis PM10 collected there in 2007 by ICP-MS ICP-AES. results urban activities soil/road dust resuspension as metals. Biella was overall less than Turin, probably because smaller size, traffic volume, lower number industries. However, limit value imposed European legislation for daily average mass concentration (50 μg m−3) frequently exceeded samples: 22% 50%, respectively Turin. specific toxic metals regulated never higher Cd (4 ng Pb (0.5 m−3), whereas it Ni (20 samples from only 5% those Biella. same way, risk analysis, using target hazard quotient (THQ), calculated children adult populations, did not reveal warning values. Only were concerning values found (median THQ = 4.9). Element concentrations showed a seasonal trend, with November December due combination stable atmospheric conditions strengthening anthropic (e.g., combustion heat generation). Finally, data amount Cd, Ni, atmosphere provided regional agency environmental protection (ARPA Piedmont) used follow these elements 2021 cities. significant reduction all considered sites (higher 50%), however maintaining variability observed 2007, during cold months summer.